Leave it to Samuel K. Skinner (Commentary, Mar. 10) to convolute the English language to try to convince people that more flights at O’Hare will reduce noise. The arguments that “the newest engines are much quieter” and that “today’s aircraft are, on average, 50 percent quieter” may be true. But that other 50 percent, in addition to removing the slot restrictions for considerably more flights, accounts for a huge amount of ear-splitting noise. There are nights right now between 11:30 p.m. and midnight when it is impossible to listen to television or a phone call, to converse, or even to read in peace. Also, Skinner makes no mention whatsoever of the ever-increasing tons of deadly air pollution with the influx of more planes.
Nevertheless, it’s all OK according to him because “the economic issues should be driving the decisions to end slot restriction”–forget breathing and hearing concerns.
